APSAC Call for Proposals is Now Open!
Call for Proposals – 34th APSAC Colloquium
Theme: Rhythm of Collaboration
June 20–24, 2027 | Sheraton New Orleans
For over three decades, the APSAC Colloquium has been a cornerstone for professionals and researchers working to prevent and respond to child maltreatment. Now in its 34th year, this go-to conference continues to bring together the field’s most respected voices and emerging innovators for a one-of-a-kind learning and networking experience. In the rhythm of collaboration, APSAC (the Association of Professionals Solving the Abuse of Children) is partnering with the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY) to enhance understanding and skills to support healthy sexual development and to identify problematic sexual behavior early and intervene effectively.
The 34th APSAC Colloquium brings together professionals, researchers, and advocates who believe that real progress happens when we connect across disciplines, solve with shared purpose, and bridge gaps in systems, communities, and understanding. Set in vibrant New Orleans, where collaboration and culture meet, this year’s gathering invites voices to come together – where various voices harmonize like jazz, creating bold, lasting solutions for children and families.
For the third year in a row, the Colloquium returns to New Orleans, a city where scholarship meets soul. Attendees don’t just come for the sessions, they return for the connection, culture, and community. Past participants have paraded in second lines, joined jazz-infused bar crawls, and built meaningful collaborations over beignets and bold ideas.
APSAC and NCSBY invites researchers, skilled trainers, and passionate professionals to submit proposals for the 2027 Colloquium. This in-person event offers high-impact, cross-disciplinary learning and showcases best practices, cutting-edge research, and innovative solutions to end child maltreatment.
Sessions should be engaging and evidence-based instruction, grounded in current research and best practices, supporting continued learning for participants at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
APSAC invites submissions on all aspects of solving child maltreatment and is particularly interested in proposals on trauma-informed best practices and trends related to:
- Child Maltreatment (Child Physical Abuse, Psychological Maltreatment, Child Sexual Abuse, and Neglect)
- Problematic Sexual Behavior of Youth
- Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Welfare
- Technology and Electronics (including Online Crimes Against Children, Impact of Sexually Explicit Media)
- Substance Use and Abuse
- Best Practices in Child Abuse Investigations and Prosecution
- Forensic Interviewing
- Mandated Reporting and Supporting
- Evidence-Based Interventions for Trauma Treatment and Recovery
- Innovative Child Maltreatment Prevention Approaches
- Healthy Sexual Development
- Family Engagement and Family-Centered Care
- Addressing Prevalent and Key Risk, Vulnerabilities, and Protective Factors
- Groundbreaking Research and Trends
- Community Trauma-Resilience Awareness
- Multidisciplinary Policy, Procedures, and Practices
- Responsive care supporting intersectionality, addressing diversity including BIPOC, Tribal, LGBTQ2S+ Youth, Rural and Frontier, Developmental Disabilities, Military, and Faith-based communities
Submission Categories:
- Training Seminars (60/90 minutes, half-day, or full-day): Practice-focused sessions for developing evidence-based skills.
- Research Presentations (30 minutes): Oral presentations of original or recently published research.
- Poster Presentations: Interactive displays of research, programs, or policy innovation.
- Roundtable Discussions (45 minutes, held during the lunch hour): Facilitated, small-group discussions on emerging or challenging topics.
All proposals must include clearly written learning objectives, with at least one addressing cultural diversity. [Use this link for guidance on writing objectives.]
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: September 19, 2026
- Acceptance Notifications: December 2026
- Presenter Registration Deadline: February 1, 2027
Presenters must confirm participation within two weeks of acceptance. Sessions without registered presenters by the deadline may be reassigned. Presenters may not be substituted or removed without prior approval. Discounted registration will be offered to all accepted presenters.
For assistance, contact apsaccolloquium@apsac.org
